6.
The Chairman thanked Cllr. Anne Waugh, in her absence, for her help in providing
refreshments at Meetings.

The
Meeting closed at 7.45 p.m.

PARISH
COUNCIL MEETING.

It
was proposed by Cllr.Wright seconded by Cllr Oakeshott and agreed unanimously
by all Members that Standing Orders, including amendments for the Annual Parish
Assembly, Financial Regulations, and Delegated Powers for the Planning Committee,
should be adopted.

The
Chairman accepted apologies for absence.

There
were no alterations to the Register of Members Interests.

The
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting, held on Monday, 3 rd April 2006,
were confirmed and signed, following an alteration to P. 786 under KAPC
where it was noted that both Cllrs.Saunders
and Hinks had attended the Area Committee Meeting.

Matters
arising from the Minutes.

The
Clerk reported that:-

a.
P. 783 Matters Arising. Repair of picnic tables. The Clerk confirmed that the
quote of £430 plus VAT from Trojan Engineering would be to weld solid
"4 by 2" section onto the frame so that there would be no bolts. After
discussion amongst Members it was proposed by Cllr. Oakeshott, seconded by Cllr.
Howard and agreed by all Members to
proceed with an alternative quotation of £250 plus VAT obtained by Cllr.
Wright.

b.
P. 783 M/A Replacement of Dickens sign. As consent had now been received from
KCC the sign would be reinstated on 16/5.

c.
P. 785 Security Measures - Higham Pavilion. An insurance claim had now been
submitted for the repairs to the drainage.

d.
Royal Mail had finally agreed to reinstate the missing postbox to Hermitage
Road but installation could take up to 12 weeks.

e.
P. 783 Website. There had been a total of 1921 hits to the website during April.
There were currently problems with e-mail redirection for both the Clerk and
the Webmaster which was under investigation. It was expected that the renewal
cost for the domain name and web space would be in the region of £85.

f.
Members expressed concern that no reply had ,as yet, been received from George
Webb Finn regarding either the siting of the container or the installation of
the roll top fencing to the Recreation Ground, and the Clerk was asked to make
contact as a matter of urgency.

Parishioners'
Matters.

Mr
Martin, of School Lane, enquired why both the school bus and the regular 417
service used the same lay-by at the end of Mountbatten Avenue. School children
alighting had caused damage to cars and broken steps. After discussion Members
agreed to ask the operator, Arriva, if one service could pick up at the Gardeners
Arms instead.

Mr
Chilmaid reported a large pothole to School Lane near its junction with St.
John's Road.

Mrs
Leach asked if there was any news regarding crossing improvements in front of
the Gardeners' Arms. Cllr. Oakeshott reported that this matter would be discussed
at the Joint Transportation Board Meeting to be held on 14/6.

A
large number of residents from Steadman Close were present at the Meeting following
further anti-social behaviour to the area which had led to an incident of serious
assault. Inspector Tracey Billaine and WPC Alison Duffort were in attendance
and able to update Parishioners with the latest developments. They reassured
residents that the Police were still actively working on evidence towards applications
for other ASBO's and urged them to keep reporting incidents and obtaining crime
numbers. It was noted that on occasions up to 20 juveniles were present, which
residents found intimidating, and a car had sustained a large amount of damage
by graffiti. The Police agreed to issue details of the ASBO currently in force
to place it in the public domain, to speak to the Borough Council regarding
Council tenancies of families of known individuals involved and to see if conditions
could be imposed by the court excluding individuals from the area.

Two
residents from St. John's Road complained that stones had been thrown to the
back of their properties, and windows broken, by a group of some 16 to 18 unsupervised
youngsters in the grounds of the Working Men's Club, which adjoined the end
of their gardens. They stated that this had happened before during the summer
months and had necessitated doors and windows being shut to cut out the noise
and to stop dogs barking. Fire doors at the Club had been propped open, increasing
the noise from the loud music which was now being played three nights a week.
Approaches to the Club, to date, had not produced any action, and other residents
were equally aggrieved with the situation. It was agreed that the Parish Council
should write to the Club Committee outlining these problems and send copies
of the letter to the Environmental Health Department and Licensing Officer at
Gravesham Borough Council for information. Two Members of the Council would
arrange a convenient time to view the premises and speak direct to Club Committee
Members before reporting back at the next Meeting.

Mr
Taylor, of Martins Close, reported that the tarmac to the entrance of the road
had been torn up by a large vehicle during the day.

Matters
arising from this year's Annual Parish Assembly.

The
Chairman expressed her concern that only 32 Parishioners, some 1% of the electorate,
had been present at the Annual Parish Assembly in spite of the large amount
of food that had been prepared and she questioned the wisdom of providing such
a spread the following year. In response, Cllr. James reminded Members that
this was a legitimate item of expenditure on behalf of the Parish even though
a smaller number of Parishioners than envisaged had attended. It was suggested
that posters should be prepared to advertise the next Annual Parish Assembly
in the hope of increasing numbers of Parishioners present.

Following
the presentation by P.C.Ridley, it was agreed to speak again to representatives
from the other Gravesham Rural Parishes, who had expressed an interest in the
Speedwatch scheme, at the forthcoming Meeting of Parish Chairmen, and the Clerk
was asked to ensure that this item was placed on the agenda for the Meeting.
An appeal for Parishioners to come forward to form a Committee to man the equipment
could be made at a later date, although it was suggested that it would be preferable
to carry out the monitoring in another village

Cllr.
James confirmed that although a walking bus was being considered at the Primary
School it had not been introduced at present.

The
Clerk confirmed that, with the exception of the location in Chalk Road, all
sites had now been approved for the installation of the village signs. An approved
KCC contractor would need to carry out the installations. It was uncertain if
five licences, at a cost of £63 each, would need to be applied for before
the signs could be installed.

To
finalise arrangements for the 2006 Higham Gardens for Pleasure Competition.

The
Chairman reported that Morton Grey was to notify Members of the date that final
judging of this year's competition would get underway. Members were asked to
sign up for roads to inspect to produce the final short list.

The
Annual Parish Assembly would take place on Thursday, 19th April 2007.

The
remaining dates for Meetings in 2006 were as follows:

Mondays:-
11th September, 9th October, 6th November (Budget and Finance only) and 27th
November (Christmas Meeting with the Mayor of Gravesham).

Councillors'
Matters.

County.

Cllr.
Snelling reported that there would be no Primary School closures in Gravesham
for the coming year, although HIgham Primary School had agreed to reduce its
planned admission numbers by 56 over the next 7 years to reflect the falling
rolls. He would take over the Chairmanship of the Joint Transportation Board
for the coming year. The start of the A2 widening had been put back to 2007
due to financial constraints. Cllr. Snelling stated that he believed that the
Lower Thames Crossing needed a high level report on how it would impact on the
area.

Borough.

Cllr.
Jupp reported that a total of £5 million had been allocated to refurbish
the Civic Centre and arrangements were being made to sell Cygnet House. The
proposed ballot regarding the possible transfer of the housing stock had been
put back. A consultative committee had been set up to look at the problems of
car parking within the Borough.

Cllr.
Oakeshott reported that free bus passes were available for the "over 60's".
Travelling would be free provided that each journey began and ended in Gravesham.
It would not be available for travel into the London Boroughs. Gravesham Age
Concern was starting its own meal delivery service and would be happy to deliver
to Higham. Work on the new Visitor's Centre at Shorne Wood Country Park was
almost finished and a tramper buggy was available for the disabled. Government
grants were available for the erection of individual wind turbines on private
land, but planning permission would still be required. Miss May Popple, a resident
of Copperfields Residential Home, would be 100 years of age later in the month.

Parish.

Cllr.
Grey reported that the path was being used as the main carriageway at the chicane
near the entrance to the Memorial Hall, which was causing damage and was a danger
to pedestrians. The tenancy of the Railway Tavern was to change at the end of
the month.

Cllr.
Goring reported that the main sewer to School Lane had backed up and blown the
manhole cover off, causing sewage to pour down the road, during the last Boot
Fair. As this had happened before it was agreed that the matter should be reported
to the Borough Council,

and
a copy of the letter sent to the Water Board.

Cllr.
James reported that the middle light to the underpass in Crutches Lane (BCDQ
006) was now unlit.

REFRESHMENT
BREAK

Reports

a.
Planning

Plans
were available for the following planning applications which had been received

and
reviewed by the Planning Committee:-

Appln
no. 20060257 Mr & Mrs Benocci, 3, Steadman Close

Construction
of a dormer extension in the rear roof slope and conversion of the roof space
into two bedrooms.

Appln.
no. 20060153 Mr Cooper, 1, Gads Hill Cottages, Gravesend Road.

Erection
of a front porch.

Appln.
no. 20060290 Mr M. Dockrell, 9, Irvine Road.

Erection
of single storey side extension incorporating dormer windows in the front and
rear roof slopes to form garage with bedroom and ensuite bathroom in the roof
space over and single storey rear extension to form living room, utility room
and w.c./shower room.

Appln.
no. 20060309 Mr & Mrs K. Bambrough, 1, Hollytree Drive.

Erection
of a single storey side extension to form a garage and erection of a front porch.

Cllr.
Goring reported that, following the receipt of the funding, the building works
would start on 26/5 and be completed by the end of August. It was anticipated
that the closure of the Memorial Hall car park would cause parking problems
for parents of children at Higham Primary School and the Clerk was asked to
write to the owners of The Knowle to ask if their overflow car park could be
used as a contingency measure, and to ensure that there was a police presence
for the first couple of days. Cllr. Goring reported that several
glass windows to the Hall had been kicked in on Good Friday.

d.
Recreation Ground.

Cllr.
Goring reported that the grass had recently been cut. The attempt to locate
the missing manhole cover with a metal detector had not yet got underway.

e.
Multi-Purpose Games Area.

Cllr.
Goring reported that a white van had stopped outside the facility and the occupants
were seen to gain entry through a hole in the fence to play football.

i.
Merston Court.

The
Chairman reported that a large cake from the Parish Council commemorated the
25th anniversary of Merston Court. One of the co-ordinators, Dot Figg, who had
been awarded a Taking Pride in Gravesham award, also received flowers from the
Parish Council. Barrie Howes of the Higham Youth Club, was another award winner.

Finance.

The
Clerk asked for approval for the items of expenditure shown on the agenda, plus
the sum of £258.50 for M.J.Read & Co. for audit preparation, £45.00
for Mrs P. Oakeshott for APA costs under Sections 150(2) of the L.G.Act 1972,
£20.00 for Mrs J. Papadopulos for flowers for Dot Figg, and £50.00
for Mrs J.Plane for a celebration cake for Merston Court (the last two items
under Sects. 137 and 139), this being proposed by Cllr. Howard, seconded by
Cllr. Oakeshott and agreed by all Members.

K.C.P.F.A.
(2006 subscription) 20.00

C.P.R.E.
(2006 subscription) 26.00

Allianz
Cornhill Insurance plc (renewal premium) 948.57

Mrs
J.M.Papadopulos (APA costs under Sect. 150(2) L.G.Act 1972) 39.85

GBC
(printing costs) 17.13

To
approve the Annual Return for Local Councils for year ended 31st March 2006.

Copies
of both the Annual Return for Local Councils in England and Wales, and accounts
for the financial year ended 31st March 2006 had been circulated to Members
prior to the Meeting. Both documents were approved unanimously by all Members
present.

To
approve the updated Risk Assessment document.

It
had not been possible to produce this document for approval at the Meeting and
this matter would be dealt with at a later date.

Correspondence.

The
correspondence folder had been available for perusal by all Members from 7.00
p.m. on that evening, but the Clerk drew Members' attention to the following
items:-

1.
It was agreed that Cllrs. Oakeshott and James should study the Consultation
Document for the SEERA South East Plan and respond on behalf of the Members.

2.
It was agreed to ask Mr Ellis to carry out the repairs to the notice board at
Lower Higham replacing the glass with 4mm perspex.

To
note the date of the next Parish Council Meeting.

This
was given as being Monday, 3 rd July 2006 at 7.30 p.m.. The Chairman reminded
Members that this would take place in St. John's Church Hall by kind permission
of Father James whilst the Memorial Hall was out of action.

Any
Other Business.

Members
gave approval for a Mini Tournament organised by the Eagles F.C. to be held
on the Recreation Ground on 20/5.

Cllr.
Goring reported that he had received reports that the quad bike had again been
ridden on the pavement in the village. It was agreed that the Police should
be informed.